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SOLAR FLARES. Marina Rodríguez Baras. Solar activity. Why do we study it? Close study of the internal processes of a star. Preventing the effects on the Earth. NASA/Steele Hill. Solar flare: definition. Definition : Big explosions on the surface of the sun.
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SOLAR FLARES Marina Rodríguez Baras
Solar activity Why do we study it? • Close study of the internal processes of a star. • Preventing the effects on the Earth. NASA/Steele Hill
Solar flare: definition Definition: Big explosions on the surface of the sun. Effect: They heat material and release energy. Place: Usually near sunspots. TRACE satellite. September 5, 2005
Example: 13 Dec 2006 (Hinode) Hinode's Solar Optical Telescope (SOT) on Dec. 13, 2006
Energy released • Electromagnetic radiation: Across the whole spectrum. • Flares classified by their X-ray flux. Each class has a tenth of the energy of the superior one.
Energy released Each category has nine subdivisions (X1-X9, M1-M9…) NOAA satellites, July 2000
Origin: magnetic shear • Origin in the structure of the magnetic field around sunspots. • Magnetic field lines twisted and sheared. • Reconnection of lines provoke release of energy. NOAA Active Region AR6659, June 10, 1991
Origin: magnetic shear Hinode's Solar Optical Telescope (SOT), 10th-14th December 2006
Reconnection of lines • Tension accumulated causes a reconnection of the lines of magnetic field. • The reconnection implies releasing a high amount of energy. Figure of Gordon D. Holman (NASA)
Reconnection of lines Magnetic reconnection Reconnection in 3D Figures of Gordon D. Holman (NASA)
Global events K Schrijver & A (NASA) (solar flare 1st August 2010)
Global events Solar Dynamics Observatory (1st August 2010)
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